Portable speaker configurations

ABSTRACT

A portable public address (PA) speaker comprises an enclosure constructed and arranged for positioning at a first position having a vertical orientation to output audio shaped for a first acoustic coverage area, a second position having an angular orientation to output audio shaped for a second acoustic coverage area, and a third position having a horizontal orientation to output audio shaped for a third acoustic coverage area. The weight of the speaker rests on a bottom surface of a base when in the first position having the vertical orientation or the second position having the angular orientation. The weight of the speaker rests on a side surface when in the third position having the horizontal orientation.

BACKGROUND

This description relates generally to acoustic speakers, and morespecifically, to portable public address (PA) loudspeaker systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, a portable public address (PA) speakercomprises an enclosure, comprising :a top portion; a base; a pluralityof side surfaces extending between the top portion and the base; and aspeaker in the enclosure that outputs sound through a first side surfaceof the plurality of side surfaces. The enclosure is constructed andarranged for positioning at a first position having a verticalorientation to output audio shaped for a first acoustic coverage area, asecond position having an angular orientation to output audio shaped fora second acoustic coverage area, and a third position having ahorizontal orientation to output audio shaped for a third acousticcoverage area. The weight of the speaker rests on a bottom surface ofthe base when in the first position having the vertical orientation orthe second position having the angular orientation. The weight of thespeaker rests on a side surface other than the first side surface whenin the third position having the horizontal orientation.

Aspects may include one or more of the following features.

The top portion may include a tapered border that forms a cavity, andfurther includes a handle in the cavity.

The top portion may include a plurality of wall portions, each alignedwith a side surface of the plurality of side surfaces.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise a plurality ofcontrol elements extending from at least one side surface. A width ofeach of the top portion and base may be greater than a width of acombination of the control elements and a portion of the enclosureformed by the at least one side surface.

The control elements may be visible and accessible to a user in each ofthe first, second, and third positions of the enclosure.

The bottom surface of the base may comprise a flat bottom surface and anangled bottom surface extending from the flat bottom surface. The weightof the speaker may rest on the flat bottom surface of the base when inthe first position having the vertical orientation. The weight of thespeaker may rest on the angled bottom surface of the base when in thesecond position having the angular orientation.

The base may include a plurality of wall portions that extend from theflat bottom surface and angled bottom surface each aligned with a sidesurface of the plurality of side surfaces.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise a firstcompressible foot at the flat bottom surface of the base, and at theangled bottom surface of the base, and a second compressible foot at theside surface other than the first side surface.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise a pole mount inthe angled bottom surface, for receiving a pole for positioning theportable PA loudspeaker system above a ground surface. The pole mountmay be positioned to (1) allow a user to insert the pole, (2) separate abattery from heat-generating sources in the enclosure, and (3) improve acenter of gravity.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise a circuit boardcomprising a wireless data interface device constructed and arranged toestablish or maintain a communication with an electronic device in anyof the first, second, or third positions of the enclosure.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise anomni-direction wireless antenna at the top portion in communication withthe wireless data interface device on the circuit board.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise a rotatablenameplate assembly that rotates to accommodate either the horizontal,angular, or vertical orientation of the enclosure. The rotatablenameplate assembly may comprise a nameplate in communication with analignment part, the alignment part including four elements that permitrotation of the nameplate in one of four different positions, each 90degrees from each other.

In accordance with another aspect, a portable public address (PA)speaker comprises an enclosure, comprising :a top portion; a base; aplurality of side surfaces extending between the top portion and thebase; and a speaker in the enclosure that outputs sound through a firstside surface of the plurality of side surfaces. The enclosure isconstructed and arranged for positioning at a first position having avertical orientation to output audio shaped for a first acousticcoverage area, a second position having an angular orientation to outputaudio shaped for a second acoustic coverage area, and a third positionhaving a horizontal orientation to output audio shaped for a thirdacoustic coverage area. The speaker further comprises a rotatablenameplate assembly that rotates to accommodate either the horizontal,angular, or vertical orientation of the enclosure.

Aspects may include one or more of the following features.

The rotatable nameplate assembly may comprise a nameplate incommunication with an alignment part, the alignment part including fourelements that permit rotation of the nameplate in one of four differentpositions, each 90 degrees from each other.

The weight of the speaker may rest on a bottom surface of the base whenin the first position having the vertical orientation or the secondposition having the angular orientation, and wherein the weight of thespeaker rests on a side surface other than the first side surface whenin the third position having the horizontal orientation.

In accordance with another aspect, a portable public address (PA)speaker comprises an enclosure, comprising :a top portion; a base; aplurality of side surfaces extending between the top portion and thebase; and a speaker in the enclosure that outputs sound through a firstside surface of the plurality of side surfaces. The enclosure isconstructed and arranged for positioning at a first position having avertical orientation to output audio shaped for a first acousticcoverage area, a second position having an angular orientation to outputaudio shaped for a second acoustic coverage area, and a third positionhaving a horizontal orientation to output audio shaped for a thirdacoustic coverage area. The circuit board comprises a wireless datainterface device constructed and arranged to establish or maintain acommunication with an electronic device in any of the first, second, orthird positions of the enclosure.

Aspects may include one or more of the following features.

The portable PA loudspeaker system may further comprise anomni-direction wireless antenna at the top portion in communication withthe wireless data interface device on the circuit board.

The weight of the speaker may rest on a bottom surface of the base whenin the first position having the vertical orientation or the secondposition having the angular orientation, and wherein the weight of thespeaker rests on a side surface other than the first side surface whenin the third position having the horizontal orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The above and further advantages of examples of the present inventiveconcepts may be better understood by referring to the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likenumerals indicate like structural elements and features in variousfigures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating the principles of features andimplementations.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portable powered public address (PA)loudspeaker system oriented in a first position, in accordance with someexamples.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the portable powered PA loudspeakersystem of FIG. 1A oriented in a second position.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the portable powered PA loudspeakersystem of FIGS. 1A and 1B oriented in a third position.

FIGS. 2A(1) and (2) are illustrations of acoustic coverage of the PAloudspeaker system oriented in the first position shown in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2B(1) and (2) are illustrations of acoustic coverage of the PAloudspeaker system oriented in the second position shown in FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 2C(1) and (2) are illustrations of acoustic coverage of the PAloudspeaker system oriented in the third position shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior of a PA loudspeaker system,in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the PA loudspeaker system of FIGS.1A-3 oriented in the first position, including a view of a set ofcontrol knobs and switches positioned at one or more sides of the PAloudspeaker system, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the PA loudspeaker system of FIGS. 1A-4exposing a circuit board.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the circuit board of the PA loudspeakersystem of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is another perspective view of a PA loudspeaker system having apole mount and plurality of compressible feet for positioning thespeaker at any one of the three positions of FIGS. 1A-1C, in accordancewith some examples.

FIG. 6B is a cutaway side view of the PA loudspeaker system of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a surface of a PA loudspeaker system having apole mount, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 8 is a view of the portable powered PA loudspeaker system of FIG. 7positioned on a pole, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a rotatable logo assembly, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the rotatable logo assemblycoupled to a panel of a PA loudspeaker system oriented in first andsecond positions, respectively, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Public address (PA) loudspeaker systems are well-known for amplifyingthe reproduction of sound to be heard by a group of people. Theenvironment in which portable powered PA loudspeaker systems are usedmay vary from one location to another. Therefore, there is a need for PAloudspeaker systems to accommodate different areas of coverage dependingon the location, or other factors, such as the application, indoor oroutdoor positioning, size of audience, and positioning of theloudspeaker system.

PA loudspeaker systems in some examples are constructed with specifictarget customer segments in mind. For example, a primary use of a PAloudspeaker system may be for a solo musician who requires a voice orinstrument amplifier, for example, a guitar or drums, to perform streetperformances, or for a disk jockey who plays songs for a small audience.In another example, a PA loudspeaker system may be a general purposeelectro-acoustic driver for amplifying sound, e.g., voice and/orinstruments, in a classroom, home Karaoke event, or other eventinvolving small groups of people. In yet other examples, a PAloudspeaker system may be required for a larger audience, such as anauditorium.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a portable powered public PA loudspeaker systemassembly 10 may include an enclosure 22 (also referred to as a housingor cabinet) having a top portion 51, a base 52, and plurality of sidesurfaces extending between the top portion 51 and base 52. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the side surfaces may include a first 53,second 54, third 55, fourth 61, fifth 62, sixth 63, and seventh 64 sidesurface, each extending along a common direction of extension between aperiphery the top portion 51 and base 52 to form an interior of theenclosure 22 where a set of omni-directional speakers are positioned,for example, shown in FIG. 3. In other examples, the enclosure 22 mayhave a different number of side surfaces having various widths or otherdimensions, for example, fewer than or more than seven side surfaces.The enclosure 22 is constructed to be oriented vertically, horizontally,or angularly, for example, tangential or non-perpendicular to the groundsurface on which the loudspeaker system assembly 10 is positioned.

The top portion 51 may include a plurality of inclined wall portions121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 that each incline, taper, or slopefrom a bottom region of the top portion 51 abutting the side surfaces toa top region, to provide ruggedness and portability to the assembly 10.Each top wall portion 121-127 has a top horizontal border portion 131, abottom vertical border portion 132, and a sloped or inclined portion 133that extends between the top 131 and bottom 132 portions. Thus, theperiphery of the bottom region of the top portion 51 formed by thebottom portions 132 of the top wall portions 121-127 may include a lip,and therefore be of a larger parameter than that of the top regionformed by the top horizontal border portions 131. The lip formed by thevertical bottom portions 132 of the top wall portions 121-127 of the topportion 51 of the enclosure 22 may also have a width that is greaterthan a width of a portion of the enclosure 22 formed by the sidesurfaces 53, 54, 55, 61, 62, 63, and 64.

The top region of the collective wall portions 121-127 may include ahorizontal top border that forms a cavity or recess in the top portion51 in which a handle 72 may be positioned. The handle 72 allows foreasy, single-handed carrying and transport of the portable system 10.

The top portion 51 may have a pentagon shape formed of wall portions121, 123, 124, 125, and 126. However, the top portion 51 may not have aperfect pentagon shape (i.e., all five sides having a same length),since the wall portions may be of different lengths, and since otherwall portions may extend between the five pentagonal sides. For example,as shown, the top portion may include wall portion 122 between wallportion 121 and 123 and wall portion 127 between wall portions 121 and126, which provide a bevel or cutoff at regions that would otherwise becorners between wall portions 121 and 123 and 121 and 126, respectively.In some examples, top wall portions 121-127, and corners formedtherebetween, may align along a common direction of extension as sidesurfaces 53, 54, 55, 61, 62, 63, and 64, and corners therebetween. Forexample, a corner region C′ between wall portions 121 and 122 may extendalong a same axis as corner region C″ between side surfaces 53 and 61 asshown in FIG. 1A. In some examples, a base side surface, for example,side surface 142, may be a same width as an enclosure side surface, forexample, 61. In other examples, the width of a base side surface may bedifferent than that of a corresponding enclosure surface.

The base 52 on the opposite side of the enclosure 22 as the top portion51 includes wall portions 141-147, or side portions that extend from aflat bottom surface portion 66 and angled bottom surface portion 67 ofthe base 52, at a predetermined angle, for example 30 degrees. Flatbottom surface portion 66 is coupled to, integral with, or otherwisealigned with side surfaces 52, 53, and 54. Angled bottom surface portion67 is coupled to, integral with, or otherwise aligned with side surfaces63 and 64, which each have a tapered surface to permit the taper of thebottom surface portion 67.

The base wall portions 141-147 of the base each has a first portion (forexample, first portion 143 a shown in FIG. 6) that inclines, tapers, orslopes from the bottom surface 66, 67, and a second portion (forexample, second portion 143 b shown in FIG. 6) that extends vertically,e.g., along a same or parallel plane as a corresponding side wall (forexample, sidewall 54 shown in FIG. 6). The collective first base wallportions form a border having a smaller parameter than that of thesecond base wall portions. The border formed of second base wallportions, for example, including 143 b in FIG. 6 may include a lip thatis wider than a peripheral outer surface of the enclosure 22 formed bythe side surfaces 53, 54, 55, 61, 62, 63, and 64.

Therefore, each of the top 51 and bottom base 52 may have a width,circumference, periphery, or related dimension that is greater than thatof the peripheral sidewall region formed by the side surfaces 53, 54,55, 61, 62, 63, and 64 so that some or all of the side surfaces arerecessed relative to the top portion 51 and base 52, preventing elementsfrom the walls, i.e., control elements 24, handle 72, and so on, fromprotruding past the outermost surface of the top portion 51 and base 52,therefore, permitting walls of the top portion 51 and base 52 to bepositioned on a flat surface without interference of such elements.

In some examples, the enclosure 22 may be formed, molded, of a singlematerial so that the top portion 51 and base 52 are unitary or integralwith at least several of the side surfaces, for example, one piece. Insome examples, all side surfaces except first side surface 53 areintegral with the top portion 51 and base 52, for example, shown in FIG.3. In some examples, one or more panels may be positioned over theenclosure 22, at least one panel forming or covering one of the sidesurfaces. For example, a front grille, screen, or panel 71 may form thefirst side surface 53 or may be positioned over another layer ofmaterial forming the first side surface 53, or may simply cover anopening of the enclosure. In some examples, the front grille 71 extendsfrom the first surface 53 to at least a portion of adjacent sidesurfaces 62, 62, 54, and/or 55. In other examples, instead of a frame,the panels forming the side surfaces are directly coupled to each otherto form a periphery about the interior of the enclosure 22.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 3, a horn-type woofer 82 and tweeters84A-84C (generally, 84) may be positioned to output sound waves from thefirst side surface 53, and through the front grille 71. Also behind thefront grille 71 may include two or more acoustic ports 92A, 92B(generally, 92) for permitting an air and/or acoustic flow path throughthe interior of the enclosure 22, for example, behind the woofer 82. Insome examples, as shown in FIG. 3, a sub-enclosure 90 may be coupled tothe system frame, for receiving and holding in place the woofer 82,tweeters 83, and acoustic ports 92. Multiple panels and/or sides, forexample, side surfaces 53, 61, and 62 may be positioned over thesub-enclosure 90.

As described above, the side surfaces may align along a common directionof extension as the seven walls 127-127 of the top portion 51 and theseven walls 141-147 of the base 52. In doing so, second 54 and third 55side surfaces may be perpendicular to first side surface 53, and may ormay not be in direct contact with first side surface 53 for example,forming corners. Such corners, apexes, or regions of intersection ofside surfaces 63 and 64 may be rounded, or may include another sidesurface, for example, similar to the smaller-width side surfaces 61 and62. Instead of such corners, other examples may include the fourth 61and fifth 62 side surfaces extending from the first side surface 53 tothe second 54 and third 55 side surfaces, respectively. A width of thefourth 61 and fifth 62 side surfaces is preferably less than the widthsof the first through third 53-55 side surfaces, for example, as shown.

The enclosure 22, in particular, the various surfaces of the enclosure22, is constructed for orientation in different aiming positions,depending on a desired coverage area of the output of the loudspeakersystem assembly 10, for example, shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, where eachorientation establishes the pitch, roll, and yaw angle of the front orfirst side surface 53 of the loudspeaker system assembly 10 from wheresound generated from the speakers 82, 84 facing the first side surface53 is output.

The PA loudspeaker system assembly 10 can be easily positioned by handto deliver different coverage patterns depending on position,orientation, and configuration of the speakers so that a user canoptimize the sound output from the loudspeaker system assembly 10 forplaying at floor level, on a stage, facing raked seats or bleachers, andso on. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the assembly 10 can bepositioned on a table, or as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, tipped at anangle on a ground surface, or as shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C, alsopositioned at an angle on a ground surface, or as shown in FIG. 8,mounted on a pole or the like.

In some examples, the circuit board 91, e.g., printed circuit board(PCB), of the PA loudspeaker system assembly 10 includes an equalizer 40(see FIGS. 5A and 5B) that automatically equalizes the loudspeakersystem assembly 10 in response to a determined orientation, for example,shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, respectively. In particular, theequalizer 40 may automatically change equalization parameters tomaintain optimum tonal balance for each coverage pattern shown in FIGS.2A-2C, respectively. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the (PA)loudspeaker system assembly 10 in a first position equalizes and outputsa source of audio having a first acoustic coverage area C1 for aparticular listening audience. Here, when the assembly 10 is positionedon a table or the like, the coverage area C1 allows for a narrowvertical angle that maintains acoustic coverage within a height of anaudience (sitting or standing), but provides wide horizontal coveragefor a large crowd, for example, 140 degrees or more.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the (PA) loudspeaker system assembly 10 ina second position, for example, angled 30 degrees relative to thevertical position in FIG. 1A, equalizes and outputs a source of audiohaving a second acoustic coverage area C2 for a particular listeningaudience. Here, when the assembly is positioned on the floor or otherground surface, the coverage area C2 allows a narrow vertical coverageangle to direct an acoustic output at the audience, for example, withinrange of the ears of listeners in the audience, but at a widerhorizontal coverage angle to cover a wider, more dispersed audience.

As shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C, the (PA) loudspeaker system assembly 10 ina third position equalizes and outputs a source of audio having a thirdacoustic coverage area C3 for a particular listening audience. Here, amonitor mode coverage pattern is provided that allows for a largevertical coverage angle but a smaller or narrower horizontal coverageangle, e.g., 40 degrees, to keep monitor noise away from otherperformers.

In some examples, an orientation sensor 42, for example, anaccelerometer or the like, is used to detect an orientation and providesa detected orientation result to the equalizer 40, which providedifferent equalization (EQ) settings based on a detected orientation ofthe loudspeaker system assembly 10. The orientation sensor 42 may beco-located with the equalizer 40, or be part of the equalizer 40 on thecircuit board 91 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which in turn may bepositioned in the enclosure 22. In operation, the orientation sensorworks with a processing algorithm to provide an orientation value to anequalizer 40. Each orientation, e.g., vertical, angular, and horizontalshown in FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively, is associated with a differentbaseline for EQ settings for output of the speakers in the enclosure 22.Each orientation, or speaker position, may have an associated EQ settingfor output of audio from the speakers 82, 84, which is activated by acontrol signal provided by the sensor when the loudspeaker systemassembly 10 is oriented in the particular position. Different EQsettings in different positions do not change the coverage patterns, ormore specifically, the horizontal and vertical coverage anglescorresponding to coverage areas C1-C3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, in a first position, or verticalposition, the horizontal surface 66 of the base 52 is positioned on aground surface, object surface, or other surface that supports theweight and size of the loudspeaker system assembly 10.

As shown in FIG. 1A, when the loudspeaker system assembly 10 is in thefirst position, for example, a vertical orientation, a set of controlelements 24 such as volume knobs, power switch, and so on, extend in avertical direction along the third side surface 55. However, the controlelements 24 do not extend beyond the outermost edges of the top portion51 and base 52, respectively, particular, walls 125 and 126 of the topportion 51 and walls 145 and 146 of the base 52. As shown in FIG. 4,additional control elements 24, such as reverb, bass, and treble knobs,may be positioned at sixth side surface 63, which is tangential to thethird side surface 55. Other control elements 24, such as inputconnectors, on/off switches, microphone/line switches, instrument jacks,stereo inputs, auxiliary inputs, and so on may be located at third sidesurface 55 and/or sixth side surface 63. For example, control elements24 may include tuning knobs, e.g., bass, treble, reverb, on sixth sidesurface 63, and may be set prior to use. The tuning knobs may beprevented from further adjustments after an initial setting. In anotherexample, control elements 24 on third side surface 55 may include avolume knob, which may be adjusted accordingly.

In a second position, as shown in FIG. 1B, the angled surface 67 of thebase 52 is positioned on a ground surface, object surface, or othersurface that supports the weight and size of the loudspeaker systemassembly 10. In the second position shown in FIG. 1B, control elements24 are visible for accessibility by a user, similar to the firstposition shown in FIG. 1B.

In a third position, e.g., horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1C, theseventh 64 side surface of the enclosure 22 is positioned on a groundsurface, object surface, or other surface that supports the weight andsize of the loudspeaker system assembly 10. The panel 71 at the firstside surface 53 is oriented so that a third acoustic coverage area C3 isprovided for a particular listening audience, for example, a singleperformer as shown in FIG. 2C. The loudspeaker assembly 10 is turned ororiented so that the narrow vertical coverage angle, for example, 40degrees, becomes a horizontal coverage angle, for example, 40 degrees.Also in the third position, the handle 72 is positioned on a side of theloudspeaker system assembly 10. The control knobs 24 extendhorizontally, instead of vertically, along side surfaces 55 and 63.

A feature of the loudspeaker system assembly 10 is that the layout ofthe loudspeaker system assembly 10 is aesthetically pleasing to a viewerregardless of the orientation, i.e., either the first, second, or thirdposition, shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively, due to the location of thecontrol elements 24 along two adjacent sidewalls, and the recessed sidesurfaces relative to the top portion 51 and base 52, so that the handle72, control elements 24, and/or other protruding elements are hidden orminimized from view.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B the portable powered public address (PA)loudspeaker system assembly 10 includes a circuit board 91, for example,a PCB or the like. The circuit board 91 may include signal electronicscomprising circuitry, digital signal processor, and related elements formixing, equalizing, amplifying, and or filtering an input signal to thespeaker 10. For example, equalizer 40 may be implemented as analogcircuitry or as digital circuitry executing instructions from amicroprocessor-readable memory or a combination thereof known to askilled artisan in the electronic arts. The control elements 24, forexample, knobs, switches, and so on, may be in direct or indirectcommunication with the circuit board 91, and can modify features,outputs, and so on produced by the circuit board 91 by manual changes tothe control knobs 24.

The circuit board 91 may also include an orientation sensor 42, alsodescribed above, that controls the EQ settings of the equalizer 40 tomodify an input signal according to one of the vertical, angular, andhorizontal orientations shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively.

The circuit board 91 may include a wireless data interface device 36,for example, including a Bluetooth computer chip or the like, that insome examples is positioned on a circuit board 91 in the enclosure 22.The Bluetooth antenna 37 is at or proximal the top portion 51 of theenclosure as shown in FIG. 5A. Although Bluetooth communications aredescribed, other short-range electronic communications between theloudspeaker system assembly 10 and smartphone, instrument, musicgenerating device, IEEE 802.16 WiMax technology and protocols, or otherelectronic devices, systems, and/or communication infrastructures forthe wireless and/or wired communications transmission of data (audio,visual, and information packets) or other mobile electronic device. TheBluetooth device 36 may include, or be in communication with anomni-directional antenna, Bluetooth technology communications circuitry,RF wireless transceiver communications circuitry, Bluetooth technology,and RF wireless communications circuitry, in conjunction with anomni-directional antenna, or other electronics that for the receive andtransmit wireless and/or wired data packets and information to and fromthe mobile electronic device.

Regardless of orientation or position of the speaker 10, i.e., shown inFIGS. 1A-1C, the Bluetooth interface 36, or more specifically,omni-direction antenna, can establish or maintain communication with anelectronic device via a Bluetooth communication due to the location ofthe Bluetooth interface 36 on the circuit board 91, ensuring properconnection of the signals in all possible orientations.

As shown in FIG. 6, the loudspeaker system assembly 10 includes aplurality of cushions, compressible feet, or the like that are coupledto various surfaces of the enclosure 22 and formed of rubber, plastic,and/or other suitable material for supporting the weight of theloudspeaker system assembly 10 in any and all of the three orientationsshown in FIGS. 1A-1C. The physical components and processes necessary toaccomplish the function of the compressible feet are well known in theart and will not be described herein.

In particular, a first foot 81 or pair of feet receive a weight of thespeaker 10 when the speaker 10 is in the first position shown in FIG.1A, a first foot 81 may extend to a second position shown in FIG. 1B. Asecond foot 83 or pair of feet receive a weight of the speaker 10 whenthe speaker 10 is in the third position shown in FIG. 1C. Each of thefeet 81, 82 is constructed and arranged to be elongated, for extendingalong a peripheral edge of a respective surface of the enclosure. Insome examples, a pair of compressible feet may refer to a single lengthforming feet at two different edges. In some examples, a same unitarylength of material is used to form the first feet 81, for example, shownin FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7, the first pair of compressible feet 81 ispositioned at edges of the flat bottom surface 66 aligned with sidesurfaces 54 and 55 so that when the speaker 10 is oriented in the firstposition, the speaker 10 rests on the first pair of compressible feet 81at the flat bottom surface 66. A portion of the first pair ofcompressible feet 81 is positioned at two edges forming thetriangle-shaped and angled bottom surface 67 aligned with side surfaces63 and 64, so that when the speaker 10 is oriented in the secondposition, the speaker 10 rests on a portion of the first pair ofcompressible feet 81 at the angled bottom surface 67. The third pair ofcompressible feet 83 is positioned at two opposite edges of the sidesurface 64 so that when the speaker 10 is oriented in the thirdposition, the speaker 10 rests on the third pair of compressible feet 83at the side surface 64.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the speaker may include a pole mount 102positioned in a tapered cavity 104 at the angled bottom surface 67. Thepole mount 102 includes a cylindrical element that is constructed andarranged to receive a rod, pole, or the like of a speaker stand, forexample, a tripod 106 as shown in FIG. 8, so that the speaker 10 can bepositioned at a height above a floor level. Even though the pole mount102 is positioned in the angled bottom surface 67, the pole mount 102extends vertically so that the speaker 10 is oriented in the firstposition shown in FIG. 1A, i.e., a vertical orientation. The taperedcavity 104 permits a user to navigate the pole 102 to fit into the polemount 102 with ease.

The location of the pole mount 102 and tapered configuration of theangled bottom surface 67 also prevent the battery 29 inside theenclosure 22 (see FIG. 6B) from overheating the circuit board 91 orother heat-sensitive electronic components. Also, the pole mount 102towards the rear of the enclosure 22 provides more room for the battery22 at the bottom surface. Thus, the battery orientation in the optimaldirection, i.e., flat on its widest surface, does not require thebattery 29 to be at a further depth inside the enclosure 22. Also, thebattery cells can be on a same plane to prevent or reduce the risk ofunequal heating of the battery cells. Also, the location of the battery29 in this manner allows for more component cooling on the PCB 91.

Therefore, the pole mount location has a benefit in that by placing thepole mount near the rear of the enclosure and also having a bevel to it,it is much easier for a user to see and find the pole mount location toinsert the pole. Also, by locating the pole mount 102 to the rear, thereis room to keep the battery 29 away from the heat generated sources inthe system—transducers and power electronics—which keeps the battery ata cooler temperature. Also, by moving the pole mount 102 to the rear,the battery 29 can be located at the bottom of the system which helpswith center of gravity and provides improved stability with/withoutbattery pack in this location.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1C, another feature is that a rotatablenameplate assembly 110 having a nameplate, attachable logo or otheridentifying element may be coupled to the front grille 71, and may berotated relative to the front grille 71 to accommodate any of thepositions of the loudspeaker system assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. Insome examples, the nameplate assembly 110 or the like may rotate to fourdifferent positions, 90 degrees apart from each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, the nameplate assembly 110 may include a nameplate202, an alignment part 204, and a spring-loaded element 206. Thenameplate 202 includes a pin 203 that extends from a rear section of thenameplate 202 for insertion into a hole 205 in the alignment part 204.The pin 203 and hole 205 extend along an axis about which the nameplate202 rotates, for example, from a position P1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B toa position P2 shown in FIG. 1C.

In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the nameplate 110 iscoupled to the front grille 71, which in turn is positioned over thespeaker assembly at the opening of the enclosure 22. The alignment part204 can be in the shape of a square, rectangular, or other non-circularshape. Here, the alignment part 204 can align in a square, rectangle, orother non-circular shape cut into the surface of the grill 71, i.e., arecess or the like in the grill 71 to prevent the alignment part 204from rotating when the nameplate 202 is rotated. The pin 203 of thenameplate 202 and hole 205 in the alignment part 204, on the other hand,are circular, to permit rotation of the nameplate 202. Also, a featureis that the user does not have to remove the nameplate 202, thenreinsert it in a different position. Also, the user does not have toapply a force on the nameplate 202 to pull on the nameplate 202 awayfrom the grille 71 in order to rotate the nameplate 202. Instead, theuser simply rotates the nameplate 202 about its axis along which the pin203 and alignment part hole extends.

The spring-loaded element 206 is positioned about a cylindrical rearportion 207 of the alignment part 204 through which the nameplate pin203 extends. The spring-loaded element 206 includes a spring positionedabout the rear portion 207 of the alignment part 204 for applying aforce, more specifically, holds the nameplate 202 against the alignmentpart 204, when in an uncompressed state. The spring-loaded element 206operates to hold a feature 215 on a backside of the nameplate 202against a back portion comprising four ramp-shaped features 211, 212,213, and 214. In particular, the back portion of the alignment part 204includes the four features 211, 212, 213, 214 constructed and arrangedto mate with a feature 215 on a backside of the nameplate 202. Aretainer 208 in positioned at an opposite side of the grille 71 and hasa protruding portion that extends through an opening 79 in the grille71, the spring 206, and alignment part 204 to couple with the nameplatepin 203, thereby compressing the spring 206 between the retainer 208 andthe alignment part 204. Therefore, the nameplate 202 is fixedly coupledto the alignment part 204 in one of four different rotatable positions,each 90 degrees from each other. Therefore, when a user rotates thenameplate 202, the nameplate 202 remains pressed against the backportion. When the user completes the rotation, the spring-loaded element206 snaps the nameplate 202 in place in its new oriented position.

The ramp-shaped features 211-214 are configured so that as the nameplate202 rides up, or moves along, a ramp of a desired feature 211-214,spring force is increased. At the end of the ramp of the desired feature211-214, the nameplate 202 snaps into place and cannot be rotated in anopposite direction.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended toillustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is definedby the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims.

1. A portable public address (PA) speaker system, comprising: anenclosure, comprising: a top portion; a base; a plurality of sidesurfaces extending between the top portion and the base; and a speakerin the enclosure that outputs sound through a first side surface of theplurality of side surfaces; the enclosure constructed and arranged forpositioning at a first position having a vertical orientation to outputaudio shaped for a first acoustic coverage area, a second positionhaving an angular orientation to output audio shaped for a secondacoustic coverage area, and a third position having a horizontalorientation to output audio shaped for a third acoustic coverage area,wherein the weight of the speaker rests on a bottom surface of the basewhen in the first position having the vertical orientation or the secondposition having the angular orientation, and wherein the weight of thespeaker rests on a side surface other than the first side surface whenin the third position having the horizontal orientation, the portable PAloudspeaker system further comprising: an equalization device thatprovides a first equalization parameter for outputting the audio shapedfor the first acoustic coverage area in response to a detection of thevertical orientation, a second equalization parameter for outputting theaudio shaped for the second acoustic coverage area in response to adetection of the angular orientation, and a third equalization parameterfor outputting the audio shaped for the third acoustic coverage area inresponse to a detection of the horizontal orientation.
 2. The portablePA loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes atapered border that forms a cavity, and further includes a handle in thecavity.
 3. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein thetop portion includes a plurality of wall portions, each aligned with aside surface of the plurality of side surfaces.
 4. The portable PAloudspeaker system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of controlelements extending from at least one side surface, wherein a width ofeach of the top portion and base is greater than a width of acombination of the control elements and a portion of the enclosureformed by the at least one side surface.
 5. The portable PA loudspeakersystem of claim 4, wherein the control elements are visible andaccessible to a user in each of the first, second, and third positionsof the enclosure.
 6. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 1,wherein the bottom surface of the base comprises a flat bottom surfaceand an angled bottom surface extending from the flat bottom surface,wherein the weight of the speaker rests on the flat bottom surface ofthe base when in the first position having the vertical orientation, andwherein the weight of the speaker rests on the angled bottom surface ofthe base when in the second position having the angular orientation. 7.The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 6, wherein the base includesa plurality of wall portions that extend from the flat bottom surfaceand angled bottom surface each aligned with a side surface of theplurality of side surfaces.
 8. The portable PA loudspeaker system ofclaim 6, further comprising a first compressible foot at the flat bottomsurface of the base, and at the angled bottom surface of the base, and asecond compressible foot at the side surface other than the first sidesurface.
 9. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 6, furthercomprising a pole mount in the angled bottom surface, for receiving apole for positioning the portable PA loudspeaker system above a groundsurface.
 10. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 9, wherein thepole mount is positioned to (1) allow a user to insert the pole, (2)separate a battery from heat-generating sources in the enclosure, and(3) improve a center of gravity.
 11. The portable PA loudspeaker systemof claim 1, further comprising a circuit board comprising a wirelessdata interface device constructed and arranged to establish or maintaina communication with an electronic device in any of the first, second,or third positions of the enclosure.
 12. The portable PA loudspeakersystem of claim 11, further comprising an omni-direction wirelessantenna at the top portion in communication with the wireless datainterface device on the circuit board.
 13. The portable PA loudspeakersystem of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable nameplate assemblythat rotates to accommodate either the horizontal, angular, or verticalorientation of the enclosure.
 14. The portable PA loudspeaker system ofclaim 13, wherein the rotatable nameplate assembly comprises a nameplatein communication with an alignment part, the alignment part includingfour elements that permit rotation of the nameplate in one of fourdifferent positions, each 90 degrees from each other.
 15. A portablepublic address (PA) speaker system, comprising: an enclosure,comprising: a top portion; a base; a plurality of side surfacesextending between the top portion and the base; a speaker in theenclosure that outputs sound through a first side surface of theplurality of side surfaces, the enclosure constructed and arranged forpositioning at a first position having a vertical orientation, a secondposition having an angular orientation, and a third position having ahorizontal orientation; and a rotatable nameplate assembly that rotatesto accommodate either the horizontal, angular, or vertical orientationof the enclosure, the portable PA loudspeaker system further comprising:an equalization device that provides a first equalization parameter foroutputting the sound in response to a detection of the verticalorientation, a second equalization parameter for outputting the sound inresponse to a detection of the angular orientation, and a thirdequalization parameter for outputting the sound in response to adetection of the horizontal orientation.
 16. The portable PA loudspeakersystem of claim 15, wherein the rotatable nameplate assembly comprises anameplate in communication with an alignment part, the alignment partincluding four elements that permit rotation of the nameplate in one offour different positions, each 90 degrees from each other.
 17. Theportable PA loudspeaker system of claim 15, wherein the weight of thespeaker rests on a bottom surface of the base when in the first positionhaving the vertical orientation or the second position having theangular orientation, and wherein the weight of the speaker rests on aside surface other than the first side surface when in the thirdposition having the horizontal orientation.
 18. A portable publicaddress (PA) speaker system, comprising: an enclosure, comprising: a topportion; a base; a plurality of side surfaces extending between the topportion and the base; a speaker in the enclosure that outputs soundthrough a first side surface of the plurality of side surfaces, theenclosure constructed and arranged for positioning at a first positionhaving a vertical orientation; a second position having an angularorientation, and a third position having a horizontal orientation; and acircuit board comprising a wireless data interface device constructedand arranged to establish or maintain a communication with an electronicdevice in any of the first, second, or third positions of the enclosure,the portable PA loudspeaker system further comprising: an equalizationdevice that provides a first equalization parameter for outputting thesound in response to a detection of the vertical orientation, a secondequalization parameter for outputting the sound in response to adetection of the angular orientation, and a third equalization parameterfor outputting the sound in response to a detection of the horizontalorientation.
 19. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 18, furthercomprising an omni-direction wireless antenna at the top portion incommunication with the wireless data interface device on the circuitboard.
 20. The portable PA loudspeaker system of claim 18, wherein theweight of the speaker rests on a bottom surface of the base when in thefirst position having the vertical orientation or the second positionhaving the angular orientation, and wherein the weight of the speakerrests on a side surface other than the first side surface when in thethird position having the horizontal orientation.
 21. A public address(PA) speaker system, comprising: an enclosure, comprising: a topportion; a base; a plurality of side surfaces extending between the topportion and the base; and a speaker in the enclosure that outputs soundthrough a first side surface of the plurality of side surfaces; and apole mount for receiving a pole for positioning the enclosure above aground surface, the enclosure constructed and arranged for positioningat a position relative to the pole to output audio shaped for anacoustic coverage area, the portable PA loudspeaker system furthercomprising: an equalization device that provides an equalizationparameter for outputting the audio shaped for the acoustic coverage areain response to a detection of the position of the enclosure relative tothe pole.